Circuit controller



Jan. 2, 1923. 1,441,044..

E. J. TOMLINSON. CIRCUIT CONTROLLER AND CURRENT REGULATOR.

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E. J. TOMLINSON.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLEB AND CURRENT REGULATOR.

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Ward J Patented Jan. 2, 1923.

UNITE STATES EDWARD J.'TOMLINSON, OF NEWARK. NEW JERSEY,

ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WARD LEONARD ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER AND CURRENT REGULATOR.

Application filed May 29, 1916.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. TOMLIN- SON a citizen of the United States, residing at liewark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit Controllers and Current Regulators. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in circuit-controllers and current-regulators.

One of the objects of niy'invention is to incorporate, in a single instrument, means for controlling the circuit between a dynamo-electric generator and a storage battery to be charged thereby when they are associated to jointly supply current to a given working circuit; to automatically switch the generator in circuit with the battery, and other electrical translating devices, when the electro-motive force of the dynamo or generator suiiiciently exceeds that of the battery and to automatically reduce the excessive electro-motive force of the generator, upon increase of speed, by periodically varying the ampereturns of the energizing coils of the field magnet winding, whereby to prevent dangerous increase of current flowing from the generator.

Other, further and more specific objects of my invention will become readily apparent, to persons skilled in the art, from a consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings. wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the instrument, showing the enclosing ease in section.

Fig. 9 is :1 similar view showing the opposite side of the instrument.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on a central vertical plane.

Fig. 4 is a bottom View of the base.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. showing the top part of the instrument.

Fig. (3 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the connections between the dynamo, battery, working circuit and with the instrument.

Fig. 8 is a simplified form of diagram more clearly showing the relative positions of the parts of the controlling mechanism.

in all the views the same roicrcnve charmtcr? are employed to indicate similar parts.

Serial No. 100,567.

I will first describe the parts of the instrument in their relation and operation and then explain its use and the manner of its connection with a dynamo and battery.

10 is a base, having a raised bottom 11 and a marginal flange 12 to provide a hollow inlerior within which to contain the electrical connections and screws.

The base is of insulating material, such as bakelite, or the like, or of any other suitable material. Mounted upon the base 10 is a bracket 13 of para-magnetic material to which is connected at one side, as at 14, an electromagnetic core 15, of the electro-magnet. The core 15 is connected at its other end, as at 16. to another bracket 17 of paramagnetic material. These brackets are secured to the base, as by screws 19 and 19', respectively. The parts 20 and 21 of the brackets 13 and 16, respectively, form the pole pieces ofthe electro-rnagnet for inductively effecting the vibration of the armature 22. Secured to the bracket 13, as by screws 23, is a piece of sheet spring bronze 2a, which is bent at substantial right angles, and secured to the armature, as by screws 24. The piece 24 forms a pivotal connection for the armature 22 with the relatively stationary pole piece or bracket 13, and )ermits the armature to be freely vibrated by the varying magnetic condition of the electro-magnet. The armature 22 is held in retracted position by a. sheet steel or bronze tongue 21 which is bent at right angles, as at 2C. and which overlies the heads of the screws 29- 13, being separated from the spring hinge piece 2-! by washers 27-2i'. The screw heads 23. 3?; serve as guides for the tongue 25. The tongue piece 25 is prolonged. as at 28. and near this end is provided with a bore to receive a screw 29. The screw 29 is adjustable in the core 15 of the electro-magnet, as a means for increasing and decreasing the tension of the spring tongue 25 and its effect upon the armature 22. The forward end 30, of the tongue 25, underlies a tongue 31 which is sprung out from the surface of the armature, as a (.OllVtIllQlli', means of attachment between the spring tongue and the armature. Turning the screw 99 inwardly will increase the resilient tension of the tongue 25 and hold the armature 22 more strongly against the fliilflCtlT force of the elerti'o-magnot. The movement lOO ' triral contact 53.

of thescrew 29 in the opposite direction has. of course. the reverse efiect. Adjustment of the tension of spring 25 may also be effected bybending tongue 31 as with a pair 01 pliers. The free end of the armature 22 is cut away, as at 32, to permit the passage of an electrical contact 33. The contact member 33 is preferably of carbon and is contained in a cup of brass, or thelilre, 34. A U-shaped spring 35, made of sheet metal, such as-phosphor bronze,.steel or-the like, is secured to the armature 22, as at 36, and is secured to the cup 3} as ;at.37. Thcspring 35 ,per nits the yielding increment of the contact 33.w hen ;it is brought into impact crinnection with a similar Cooperating con tact. Qn, the,,opposite side of the armature 22, as shown in Fig.6, ,is anothcr U-shaped iece 38 secured to the armature, as M89, and .provided with two .resilient fingers 4:Or40,,,one on each ,sideof the contact -33. These fingers .bear upon adjustable screws $1531. The screws 41 are v adjustable toward and from the Springs 40.to interpose more or \less additional resistance to the movementof the. armature 22,to supplement tlmtflprovided by the resilient tongue 25. An axially movablestein 42, carries an electric eontacte3, for cooperation with the contact,33,pn the armature22. Thestein 42 is threaded, as ,at, .44, ,for ,an adjustable nut 45, which acts as :1 stop. tolimit the inner movement of the contact 43. An open helical spring 46,.surrounds the stem 12, and bears against the inner end of the cylinder 47, that isattached to the stem 42 and which directly ,carries'the contact 43. A block of insulatingmaterial 49 which is held in place bythescrews Lilli-19, is cut away. as at 50. to provide anover-hanging arm 51. The free .end of ,thearmature 22 plays'in the space 50. Fixed to thearmature 22 is an- .other spring tongue 52. asdiythe screws 24. Thistongne carries. on its outer end an elec- .\notlier contact 534 is sccnrcd to an arm that is ilXed to the lllOt'h' ofxinsulating material 49 by a screw 56. Between the contacts and 54, is an intermediate-axially movable or floating contact 57. which noruiallyconnects the contacts 53 and 54,.the objectoi which will be hereinafter more fully described. A headed pin 58 passes loosely thru the tongue 52 and is secured in the, armature 22, the object of which is to permit some limited relatiwv movement of the.armaturc 22 toward the magnet before the tongue 52 is moved there by'by operationof the head of the pin.

Coil 60, of relatively fine wire. is connected to the firamc or grounded portion 13 of the electro-magnet and to the binding post (11. The frame 13 and the binding post (v2 ar c nnected together by a strap (33. i\ rrlatiu-l); roars? wire coil (l5. llliltll (Ii wire sn licientiy large to carry the maximum current that is to be gcueratedby the dy namo. has one of its ends 66, connected to the plate (37. to which the contact 43 is connected by the stem and spring, as by screw (35. The other terminal ot'the coil 35 is connected to the binding post=69,as.by the strap TU. The binding post 71 is connected by a strap 72. in the bottom of the base. to the screw 73, which carries a fuse clip 74 for the fuse T5. The fuse is also connected to the clip 77 that lies under the screw 56.

A1 resistance coil R islconnec ted substantially between the binding -posts" il andf 62, for inclusion in series withthe field winding of a dynamo and which normally bridges the contacts.53 and fifl andthe g apjthere; between, when the, armature 2 2,1s vibrated. hen the contacts-53 a'nd 54 are closed, or are in electrical-connection withpflchother. thru the floating contact 57 the resistjance R is thereby short-circuited; and iwhen these contacts ,are open. theresistance' 'I t is cutinto the circuit, in series with, theshuntfield windings of the dynamo.

In the diagrams of circuits, D isthe dyliZilHOWllCCillC machine having fthe shunt ,field winding SF. The po sitiyeter minal of the dynamo isconnected bywire tothe battery B, as at 101, from which point the workin circuit WC starts, by the wire 1,02

terminatin in the wire 103 vhich is connected to tie negative terminal of'thebattcry, as at 104. Wire 105 connectsthe negative side of the battery to the binding post 69 of the switch. The binding post 69 is one terminal for the coil' 65.

The arrows in the lines representing wires of the circuits indicate the;direction;of.flow of current from the dynamo.

The negative terminal of the dynamois 62 of the controller and .regulator. "The shunt field winding, SF, is connected to'the posiliw terminal of thedynamo D and by wire 10? to the binding post T1. The .wirc HIS is connected to the positire side of the dynamo. or to the wire 1G0. hetweeirthc battcry B and the dynamo. and to the binding IIUSt: (il.

Translating devices 110, such as electric lamps or the like, are connected in .the work ing circuit between wires 102 and 103.

Normally the coil 60 is in closed circuit with the armature of the dynamo, over the wires iOG and 10S, and the dynamo shunt field circuit is completed over the wires 10? and 106, the resistance R being normally short circuited by the contacts 53 and 51, when the armature is retracted.

Vt'hcn the clcclro-motivc forreot thc.(l vname is greater than that of the battery. the armature 22 is sulliricntly attracted to cause the mnin ts 1 1 and i i to he brought into (i2 v1 r val cm nrrtion. closing the cir'u t thru the battery and the veil (33 and adding to 1043 connected lay-wire. 106 .to the binding post ill) neanuaa the magnetic effect of the electro magnet. The initial movement of the armature closes the contacts 33 and 43. The spring 52, carrying the contact 53, permits considerable attractive movement of the armature 22 before connection is broken between contacts 53 and 54. When connection is made be tween contacts 33 and 43 current will then flow from the dynamo,.thru the battery and over the wire 105, thru the coil 65, and thru' the contacts 43 and 33, over the wire 106 back to the dynamo, thus supplementing the initial magnetic efl'ect produced by the coil 60. Now should the electro-motive force of the dynamo rise above normal, the current will tend to correspondingly increase, then the armature 22 will be further attracted by the augmented magnetic eflect produced by the coils 60 and 65, until connection is broken between the contacts 53 and 54, whereupon the resistance R is thereby admitted into series relation with the shunt field windings of the dynamo thus reducing the ampere turns of the field magnet of the dynamo thereby decreasing its electro-motive force and consequently the current. As the speed of the dynamo increases, the intensity of vibration between the contacts 53 and increases, thereby prolonging the time that the resistance R is included in the shunt field windings of the dynamo, and correspondingly prolonging the time that the current thru such windings or the ampereturns thereof are reduced. The vibration of the armature, to open and close the contacts 53 and 54 begins only when the charge-rate of the dynamo has been exceeded and is maintained to a varying degree as the speed of the dynamo is increased above normal. The result is that the effect of the included resistance R to increase the resistance of the field windings or to decrease the ampereturns thereof, is substantially proportional to the vibrating effect of the armature 22.

The contact 33, being supported upon the yielding spring permits some relative movement of the armature and the contact i3 being supported upon the stem 42, which is yieldingly held in inward position against the nut 42, by means of the spring 46, permits further relative movement of the armature 22 with reference to these contacts. so that after connection has been established between the contacts 33 and 43, the armature may be further moved by the effect of the electro-magnet while said connection is preserved. to break the circuit between the contacts 53 and 54.

Intermediate the contacts, 53 and 54. is a floating connecting contact 57. The floating contact 57 is placed between the contacts and 54 to remedy the effect produced by or to prevent sticking of the contacts. \Vhen the armature 22 is vibrated there is a tendency for the contacts to stick,

If, for instance, contacts 53 and 57 were to stick, or freeze" together, the circuit would still be opened and closed by the vibration of the armature, between contacts 57 and 5-l, and the constant subsequent vibration of the contacts 53 and 57 would tend to loosen contacts 53 and 57. If perchance the contacts 54 and 57 were to stick together, then the connection between 53 and 57 would still be effected by the now loosened contacts by the motion of the armature 22, It may be observed that after the circuit has been opened and closed between two of the relatively vibrating contacts, that they will be heated by the heat produced by the incipient arcs formed between the vibrating contacts, the tendency being to soften the metal of the contact points causing adhesion of the parts. After the heat has disappeared they are more easily separated, while, in the meantime, with my improved contacting means in which a plurality or series of contacts are associated, the opening and closing of the circuit between a given pair of contacts, being sus pended for the reason described, the other pair will be brought into effective operation, so that there is always the desired effect produced by one pair of the plurality of contacts.

By the use of the instrument described, the dual operation of cutting into the circuit the storage battery, when the dynamo has attained a predetermined electro-motiveforce, is accomplished, and by the further movement of the same armature, which accomplishes this result, the regulation of the dynamo is effected to produce substantially a constant current irrespective of the s eed at which the dynamo is being driven. Such an arrangement is especially valuable in connection with an electric plant installed upon an automobile wherein a dynamo-electric machine is operated from an engine of inconstant speed, thereby doing away with more complicated speed-govcrning devices in an effort to maintain constant speed and constant electro-motive force of the armature of the dynamo irrespective of the varyin; speed of the engine.

The instrument may be covered by a casing 120 secured in place by thumb screws 111.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 2- 1. In a device of the character described, a vibratory member carrying a contact yieldingly supported thereon; a relativelv stationary co-operating contact and an iiitermediate axially movable contact for 00- operation with either or both associate contacts.

9. In a device of the character described. a vibrating member carrying a contact; a relatively stationary co-operating contact,

a support-with aholetherethrough; and-an intermediate, axially movable, freely slidable contact in said-hole "for cooperation with either or both associate contacts between'which and either of the other contacts circuit may be opened and closed by said vibrating member.

3.111 an automatic regulator and cutout, an -electro-magnet, an ,apmaturetherefor,

10 back contacts associated with-the armature for-the regulator and an interposed floating contaet member vbetween'saicl back contacts. *ln-testimony wherof I hereunto set my hand inthe presence of two SHhSCt'lbingwviL nesses.

EDWARD J. TVGLMLINSON.

n the presence of i Z-BORGER,

J.A. RYAN. 

